15 Cheap And Fun Date Ideas Near University of Oregon
College is expensive, but dating doesn’t have to be! University of Oregon is an awesome place to go to college, so why not combine dating and exploring what our awesome town has to offer. It’s always fun to try new things, so here are some fun, easy date ideas!
1. Enjoy pizza and a movie in downtown Eugene
Sizzle Pie has every kind of pizza you can imagine, even vegan and breakfast pies! Order a whole pizza because, let’s be honest, what’s better than a hot slice? Broadway Metro is an intimate theater downtown, often showing indie films. Student tickets range from $6 to $8 depending on the time.
2. Hike Spencer Butte
With an elevation of 2,058 feet, Spencer Butte provides an incomparable view of Eugene. Hiking at sunrise or sunset should be on everyone’s University of Oregon date ideas bucket list!
3. Go to Eugene’s Saturday Market
Support local artists, shops and restaurants every Saturday from April 7th to November 10th (2018). Check out the fresh produce as well as the 15 amazing food booths.
4. Check out the Bier Stein
For those who are over 21, the Bier Stein is a cool place to grab a beer and a bite to eat. With over 30 different taps and 1,000 different bottled beer from all over the world, it’s hard to not find something for everyone to enjoy.
5. Dough Co and Chill
For a fun night in, order some calzones and cookies from the Dough Co. They even deliver until 3 a.m.! The hardest part about this night is deciding what movie you want to watch.
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6. Bike or walk around Alton Baker Park
With 413 acres along the Willamette River, on a nice day, Alton Baker Park is one of the most beautiful spots in Eugene. It’s also fun to bring a picnic and enjoy the sunshine and sounds of the river.
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7. Visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
With more than 3,700 works of art and rotating exhibitions, this museum is not only one of the hidden gems on campus, but also free to all University of Oregon faculty and students. After, visit the Marché Museum Café for a coffee or a quick bite to eat.
8. Have breakfast at the Original Pancake House
Enjoy a large stack of pancakes or a huge omelet at this classic Eugene spot. Keep your eye out for the Duck themed pictures, they’re hard to miss! They’re even open for dinner Thursday through Saturday.
9. Catch a live performance
Whether it’s dance, live music, a play or musical, it’s always fun and free to support your fellow classmates by watching an on-campus performance. Check out the theater schedule here and the music & dance schedule here. The University of Oregon Ticket Office also sells tickets for other venues around Eugene.
10. Study Date at the Erb Memorial Union
To put it simply, college is a lot of work. Sometimes it’s okay to not have time to plan a great date. With eight different food options and its hours open until at least 11:30 p.m. every day, the EMU is a great spot to do homework or just hang out. On nice days, take advantage of a window seat or an outside table.
11. Play video games
At Level Up Arcade, enjoy all the classic games, drinks and food. An added bonus is that they’re open until 2 a.m., seven days a week. On Fridays and Saturdays, after 9 p.m., the arcade has a DJ.
12. Ice skating
The Rink Exchange is a great spot for one of your first dates and provides a chance to get to know one another. What’s cuter than holding hands wearing a nice comfy sweater? It’s $8 to skate with $3 rentals. You can also catch a Ducks hockey game, their schedule is here.
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13. Walk around 5th Street Market
Here you can have lunch, shop, and spend time in Eugene’s more upscale shopping center. Some of the restaurants and shops host events from trunk shows to cooking classes, which you can find here.
14. Have a treat at Sweet Life
With two locations, it’s hard not to try the amazing desserts at Sweet Life. With vegan and sugar-free options, there’s something here for everyone. Sometimes you just need to satisfy your sweet tooth!
15. Go to a Ducks Game
There’s nothing better than cheering on your Ducks, decked out in Oregon gear, surrounded by your classmates and friends. The atmosphere at Autzen and Matthew Knight Arena is unmatchable. With free tickets, it’s hard to pass up these opportunities. For the schedules and tickets, free for University of Oregon students, check here.
